Tourism Higher Education in Indian: A Critical Analysis

HOSTOCON 2016, Punjab University, Chandigarh

Education and its effectiveness are universal issues which have a bearing on the development of nation. Therefore, the educational systems that churn out tourism education in large proportion assume considerable significance here. In the last twenty years, the growth of tourism education in India has been phenomenal. At present, good numbers of High Performing Knowledge Institutions (HPKIs) offer different programs at varying levels, including certificates, diplomas, under- graduate, post- graduate and doctoral degrees in tourism related domain. Change in curriculum, contents and structure of tourism education and reshaping it to meet the need of industry should top priority tasks. Tourism academia needs to provide the insight; skills and attitude to students in order take complex leadership challenges in tourism industry. In today’s highly competitive market economy network between academic research and industry operation has become imperative for the success of both the academia and industry. The emphasis of tourism education should be on fostering the innovation and entrepreneurial spirit in the students. Institutes need to development synergistic partnership with tourism industry and transfer the knowledge to business entities. The dynamic nature of tourism industry makes it imperative for tourism educators and researchers to roll out the curriculum and programme that will be most in-line with the needs of the industry, society and environment. Tourism education needs to consider new approaches and curriculum change, if its graduate is to provide effective leadership in a multicultural –multidimensional economy.